The Washington Stratagem: A Yael Azoulay Novel

In LeBor's solid sequel to 2013's The Geneva Option, the skills of Yael Azoulay, the unofficial special negotiator for United Nations Secretary-General Fareed Hussein, have led to the upcoming Istanbul summit, to be attended by all major world leaders, including U.S. president Renee Freshwater, the "most liberal Democrat to ever hold office." The heads of state intend to end the crisis in Syria, instability in Egypt, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Meanwhile, Yael must deal with Clarence Clairborne, CEO of the powerful Prometheus Group, whose dealings with Iran contravene U.S. law. In addition, journalist Sami Boustani, a friend, burns her twice with his stories, and a palace coup by Deputy SG Caroline Masters shunts Yael into a dead-end position. Too many subplots and digressions slow the pace as Yael heads to Istanbul, but the tension rises as the political infighting, personal betrayals, and overt attacks result in her becoming a fugitive wanted for murder. Agent: Elizabeth Sheinkman, William Morris. (Nov.)